Single point devices that connect to a display device

ABSTRACT

Single point devices that connect to a display device include a port for establishing a connection to a port on the display device and for switching the display device from a first mode to a second mode; an audio video device configured to capture image data representing one or more images of physical entities in a field of view of the audio video device and further configured to capture acoustic data; a receiver device and a transmitter device configured for dedicated communication with a data processing system.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is directed to connecting consumers with serviceproviders using a single point device.

Systems have been developed to connect consumers and their providersover the Internet and the World Wide Web. Some systems use e-mailmessaging and web-based forms to increase the level of connectivitybetween a member of a health plan and his assigned health care provider.The consumer sends an e-mail or goes to a website that generates andsends a message (typically an e-mail or an e-mail type message) to alocal provider. These types of services have been broadly referred to as“e-visits.” While generally viewed as an addition to the spectrum ofservices that may be desired by consumers, the benefits of such servicesare not clear. One of the concerns associated with offering additionalcommunication channels, such as e-mail, is that it can result in overconsumption of services, rather than provide for better coordination.

Plans are embracing the notion of consumerism by offering advanced toolsfor consumers to become informed and acquire medical services.Facilitating timely and more organized communication between the memberand their provider is perceived as a natural investment in the newconsumer-driven healthcare world. While still at an early stage,interest in e-visits has picked up both in the commercial world as wellas in the strategic planning sessions of health plans around thecountry. Vendors offering health portals for health plans typically nowdescribe their roadmap for the incorporation (or interfacing with)e-visit platforms. An example of an e-visit platform is described inU.S. Pat. No. 7,590,550, the entire contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

SUMMARY

In an aspect, a single point device is provided. The single point deviceincludes a port for establishing a connection to a port on a displaydevice and for switching the display device from a first mode to asecond mode, wherein the display device is configured to render aprogram in the first mode and is further configured to stream data for acommunication session received from a data processing system in thesecond mode, wherein the data processing system configured to receiverequests from medical service providers to initiate live timecommunication sessions with a user of the display device. The singlepoint device includes an audio video device configured to capture imagedata representing one or more images of physical entities in a field ofview of the audio video device and further configured to captureacoustic data. The single point device includes a receiver device. Thereceiver device is configured for dedicated communication with a dataprocessing system that receives requests from medical service providersto initiate live time communication sessions with a user of the displaydevice. The receiver device is configured to receive (a) audio signals,during a live time communication session, from a client device of anidentified medical service provider through the data processing system,and (b) a user interface signal from the data processing system andcarrying user interface data that is renderable on the display devicethat, when rendered by the display device, causes the display device tointerrupt a program displaying on the display device. The single pointdevice includes a transmitter device. The transmitter device isconfigured for dedicated communication with the data processing systemthat receives a request from a medical service provider to initiate alive time communication sessions. The transmitter device is configuredto transmit, through the data processing system and to the clientdevice, image data captured by the audio video device and audio signalsreceived from the audio video device. The transmitter device isconfigured to transmit the user interface signal received from thereceiver device to the display device in the second mode to cause thedisplay device to interrupt the program to initiate the communicationsession, as requested by the medical service provider.

The receiver device can be further configured to receive a userinterface signal to render a graphical user interface to prompt the userof the display device for authorization to establish a communicationsession through the data processing system with the client device of theidentified medical service provider. The audio video device can includea microphone. The audio video device can include a speaker deviceconfigured to output the audio signals received by the receiver device.The audio video device can include a camera.

The display device can include a television display. Causing the displaydevice to interrupt the program and render the graphical user interfacecan include causing the display device to cease displaying of theprogram. Causing the display device to interrupt the program and rendera graphical user interface can include causing the display device todisplay the graphical user interface in a first portion of the displaydevice and continue displaying the program in a second portion of thedisplay device. The first portion can be larger than the second portion.

The dedicated communication with the data processing system can beestablished through a wireless network. The receiver device can befurther configured to receive, from a control device, control signalsindicating that the user has authorized interruption of the program.

In an aspect, a method implemented by a data processing system forrendering live streamed data responsive to provider initiated requestsfor consultations is provided. The method includes receiving, from aclient device of a medical service provider, a request to initiate acommunication with a client device of a patient. The method includes,responsive to the request to initiate the communication, transmitting,by the data processing system to a single point device that iscommunicatively coupled to a display device, a signal that causes thedisplay device to switch input modes from a first mode to a second mode,with the first mode being a mode for rendering a program and with thesecond mode being a mode for streaming data received from the dataprocessing system. The method includes transmitting, to the single pointdevice, a user interface signal carrying graphical user interface datathat when rendered by the display device in the second mode interruptsdisplaying of a program on the display device and renders a graphicaluser interface, with the graphical user interface prompting a viewer ofthe display device for updates on a health status of the viewer andinitiating a communication session. The method includes establishing, bythe data processing system, the communication session between the singlepoint device and the client device.

The method can further include causing the graphical user interface toupdate with a prompt for authorization to establish a communicationsession through the data processing system with a client device of amedical service provider. The method can further include receiving, bythe data processing system from the single point device, authorizationdata instructing the data processing system to establish thecommunication session. The method can further include detecting, by thedata processing system, completion of the communication session. Themethod can further include, responsive to the detecting, sendingtermination data to the single point device that, when received by thesingle point device, causes the single point device to cease renderingthe graphical user interface on the display device and causing thedisplay device to return to displaying the program. The method canfurther include tracking the availability of a plurality of serviceproviders. The method can further include receiving, based on thetracking, an indication that one or more service providers of theplurality of service providers are available for establishing acommunication session.

The one or more service providers can include two or more serviceproviders. Before transmitting the graphical user interface to thesingle point device, the method can further include selecting one of thetwo or more service providers for establishing the communicationsession.

Selecting one of the two or more service providers can be based onhealth data of a user received from the single point device. Thecommunication session can be a full duplex communication session. Thecommunication session can be a videoconference communication session.

Interrupting the displaying of the program can include causing thedisplay device to display the graphical user interface in a firstportion of the display device and continue displaying the program in asecond portion of the display device. The first portion can larger thanthe second portion. Interrupting the displaying of the program caninclude causing the display device to cease displaying of the program.

These and other aspects, features, and implementations can be expressedas methods, apparatus, systems, components, program products, methods ofdoing business, means or steps for performing a function, and in otherways, and will become apparent from the following descriptions,including the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A-1B are block diagrams depicting environments including a singlepoint device connected to a home display device and a computerizedsystem executing on a web server.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting an environment in which acomputerized system is operating.

FIG. 3 shows one example of a single point device configured to becommunicatively coupled to a home display device and a computerizedsystem.

FIG. 4 illustrates a single point device integrating multiple datastreams

FIGS. 5A-5D depict a user using a single point device to initiate aservice session with a healthcare provider.

FIG. 5E depicts a provider interface that enables a provider to identifypatients that are online and control communication sessions.

FIG. 6 illustrates several provider availability modes facilitated by acomputerized system.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting a method for rendering live streameddata.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

Described herein is a single point device (e.g., a voice interactivesystem) that can control and invoke a telehealth ecosystem and canprovide for a telehealth consult through a home display device (forexample, a television device). The single point device is configurableto be placed on top of a home display device (such as a televisiondisplay) and connect through an audio and video interface port on thehome display device (for example, a high-definition multimedia interfaceport) to enable consumers (for example, medical patients) to interactwith physicians and other service providers through the single pointdevice (and using the home display device). In some implementations, thesingle point device is registered through a server that has the abilityto link to the computerized system functionality to “beam” a doctor intothe room of the patient for a telehealth consult.

The single point device includes video and audio functionality to enablereal-time video conferencing. As described later in further detail, thesingle point device can operate in one or more functionalities,including surveillance mode, help mode, or scheduled visit mode. Thesingle point device communicates with an integrated information andcommunication platform to permit providers to initiate consults andpoints of contacts with consumers. In an alternate embodiment, consumersof services identify and prioritize service providers with whom theyshould consult and to carry out consultations with such serviceproviders in an efficient manner. The computerized system described inthis specification integrates the described single point device suchthat the platform can provide initiation—by providers of consults,surveillance, help and scheduling services to consumers. The singlepoint device (or virtual assistant device) can be used for a visitingnurse visit, a scheduled visit, a family visit, urgent care and soforth.

Described herein is a system that enables a provider to initiate aconsultation with a patient at a time that the provider wants to do so.In this system, the directionality of communication is with the providerinitiating the communication, e.g., because the provider wants to“virtually” walk in to a patient's rooms and check-up on or performsurveillance on the patients. In some examples, this provides a form ofaccess control, where the provide controls when the providers gainsaccess to the patient.

In an example, the patient is watching television. Connected to thetelevision is a single point device that is communicates with adedicated surveillance or communication system, e.g., a brokeragesystem. At any or various points in time, e.g., as the patient iswatching TV, the service provider (e.g., doctor) may interrupt theprogram and initiate a communication with the patient, inquiring how thepatient is doing. If the single point device is paired or otherwiseconnected to other external devices (e.g., electronic medical recordsystems), the single point device may transmit data directly to theother devices.

In some example, the provider decides to initiate a communication withthe patient when the service provider knows that the patient is in frontof the TV screen or in proximity to the TV screen. Many techniques maybe used to detect when the patient is in a field of a view of the singlepoint device, including, e.g., face detection/face tracking, electronicpan/tilt zoom of a video camera that is part of the single point device,detection of ambient noise or a lack thereof, light manipulationdevices, and so forth.

In another example, rather than the service provider initiating therequest, the single point device is configured to listen to inboundrequests (in listening mode). For example, a patient may request aconsultation by speaking to the single point device. In this example,the single point device may have wake on sound technology where thedevice is listening for a key word, e.g., a name of the device, whichcauses the device to “wake up” and shift into a higher power mode forperforming voice detection and establishing a communication session.

In some examples, the single point device is connected to home biometricdevices (e.g., a blood pressure cuff, remote monitoring device, homeexamination devices, and so forth) to facilitate collection of biometricdata.

In some examples, the single point device includes patient motiondetection devices, e.g., to detect when a patient falls, which wouldthen allow a physician to initiate a consultation or otherwise drive theconsultation. In these circumstances, the patient is passive and thesingle point device is used for access control. The single point deviceis also configured to control volume and switch input modes of thedisplay device, e.g., the TV. The single point device may also includebeam forming microphones.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram depicting an environment 100 including asingle point device 220 communicatively coupled to a home display device230 and an engagement computerized system 10 executing on a web server24. The single point device 220 includes an audio device 223, a videodevice 224, a receiver 221, a transmitter 222 and an interface port 225.The audio device 223 includes one or more transducers, such asmicrophones, configured to capture acoustic data and convert theacoustic data into an electrical signal (or optical signal). In someimplementations, the audio device 223 includes one or moreelectroacoustic transducers, such as loudspeakers, that convertelectrical signals (or optical signals) into audible sound.Implementations in which the audio device 223 includes one or moreelectroacoustic transducers (for example, loud speakers) can beparticularly useful when the display device 230 does not includeintegrated speakers itself. The video device 224 includes an imagingdevice, such as a camera, that can capture raw image data. The videodevice 224 can also include digital signal processing for processing thecaptured raw image data. The receiver 221 is configured to receivesignals and the transmitter 222 is configured to transmit signals. Insome implementations, the receiver 221 and the transmitter 222 areintegrated into a single transceiver.

In some implementations, the single point device 220 includes voiceinteraction facilities that wake-up to activate the device 220 using awake-word (such as “help,” “schedule,” or “surveil”). In someimplementations, a user can say the word “help”, and the audio device223 can capture the user's words and the captured words can be used towake-up the single point device 220. In some implementations, the singlepoint device 220 is configured to be communicatively coupled to avirtual assistant device which can activate the single point device 220using a wake-up word, as described later with reference to FIG. 4. Thesingle point device 220 includes function controls to connect to acomputerized system 10 executing on the web server 24. The single pointdevice 220 can have built in support to connect directly to thecomputerized system to supply customer account information. The singlepoint device 220 responds to commands and establishes communicationchannels between a customer and a provider through the computerizedsystem 10. There are a number of means for sending messages (that is,signals carrying data) from the single point device 220. In someimplementations, the single point device 220 delivers messages to thecomputerized system 10. In some implementations, the single point device220 is able to send messages such as video synchronized with audio. Forhouseholds with more than one member, the single point device 220 canprovide messaging support to anyone in the household.

The web server 24 can be a cloud-based service that provides APIs tointerface with the single point device 220. The single point device 220is configured to be communicatively coupled to the computerized system10 (via the network 40 and web server 24).

The single point device 220 is configured to be communicatively coupledto a home display device 230 via either a one way or a two waycommunication channel. The single point device 220 is configured to becommunicatively coupled to the home display device 230 via the interfaceport 225 of the single point device 220 and an interface port 226 of thehome display device 230. The interface ports 225,235 can be one ofseveral types of interface ports, such as HDMI ports, digital visualinterface (DVI) ports, video graphics array (VGA) ports, and so forth.In some implementations, the home display device 230 is a televisionreceiver. In some implementations, the home display device 230 includeseither a one way or a two way communication channel connection to eitherInternet streaming services or cable services.

The transmitter 222 is configured for dedicated communication with thecomputerized system executing on the web server 24. In someimplementations, the transmitter 222 is configured to establish adedicated communication channel with the web server 22 through wirelesscommunications using the network 40. The transmitter 222 is configuredto transmit, through the computerized system 10, audio signals and videosignals to a client device 32 of a service provider. The client device32 can be substantially similar to the single point device 220. Theaudio signals can carry data corresponding to the acoustic data capturedby the audio device 223 and the video signals can carry datacorresponding to the image data captured by the video device 224. Thereceiver 221 is also configured for dedicated communication with thecomputerized system executing on the web server 24. In someimplementations, the receiver 221 is configured to establish the samededicated communication channel with the web server 22 as thetransmitter 222. The receiver 221 is configured to receive audio signalsand video signals, through the computerized system 10 and during areal-time communication session, from the client device 32 of a serviceprovide. The receiver 221 is also configured to receive, from thecomputerized system 10, a user interface signal carrying user interfacedata.

The transmitter 222 can transmit the received user interface signal tothe home display device 230 to cause the home display device 230 torender a user interface. The user interface data causes the home displaydevice 230 to interrupt a program displaying on the home display device230 (for example, a televised program, a streamed program, a digitalversatile disk program, and so forth). In some implementations, the homedisplay device 230 interrupts the program by ceasing the display of theprogram and, instead, displaying a user interface in accordance with theuser interface data (see, for example, FIG. 5B). In this example, thepatient is passive and is simply watching the television program. Inthis example, the provider interrupts to program to initiate thecommunication with the patient.

In some implementations, the home display device 230 interrupts theprogram by displaying the user interface in one portion of the homedisplay device 230 while continuing the display of the program in asecond portion of the home display device 230 (for example, usingpicture-in-picture). The user interface can prompt the user of thesingle point device 220 to authorize the establishing of a communicationsession (service session) though the computerized system 10. However, inother examples, authorization is not required and the single pointdevice simply interrupts the program and establishes the communicationwith the service provider. In some implementations, the user of thesingle point device 220 can use a remote control device to send controlsignals to the single point device 220 (which are received by thereceiver 221) to indicate authorization of the communication session(for example, by selecting a “yes” icon; see FIG. 5B). The single pointdevice 220 can then send a signal to the computerized system 10 toindicate that the user has authorized the communication session, and thecomputerized system 10 can establish a communications session betweenthe single point device 220 and the client device of the serviceprovider.

While the implementation shown in FIG. 1A describes the audio device 223and the video device 224 as separate devices, other implementations arenot so limited. As shown in FIG. 1B, in some implementations, audiodevice 223 and video device 224 are integrated into a single audio videodevice 226. Any of the operations described in this specification withregard to the audio device 223 and/or video device 224 can be performedby the audio video device 226. While the implementation shown in FIG. 1Adescribes the receiver 221 and the transmitter 222 as separate devices,other implementations are not so limited. As shown in FIG. 1B, in someimplementations the receiver 221 and the transmitter 222 are integratedinto a single transceiver device 225. Any of the operations described inthis specification with regard to the receiver 221 and/or transmitter222 can be performed by the transceiver device 225.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting an environment 200 in which acomputerized system 10 is operating. The environment 100 includes thecomputerized system 10 for making connections, over a network 40,between consumers 20, 21 at client systems 22, 25 and service providers30 at client systems 32. Generally, the computerized system 10 is a dataprocessing system configured to facilitate the rendering of livestreamed data by implementing a brokerage service system. In someimplementations, the network 40 includes the Internet or other types ofnetworks. In some implementations, the computerized system 10 operatesas a service running on a web server 24. In some implementations, one ofmore of the client systems 22, 25 include a single point device (such asthe single point device 220 discussed earlier with reference to FIG. 1)that sends a message including a health status keyword(s) to thecomputerized system 10 and receives, from the computerized system 10, aconnection request to an identified provider 30 based on the sent healthstatus. The client systems 22, 25 can receive video and or audio data ofa communication session with the service provider 30, and render thereceived video and or audio data of a communication session with theservice provider on a home display device of the client systems 22, 25of a consumer 20, 21. In some implementations, one or more clientsystems 22, 25 include the single point device connected to a televisionreceiver monitor (i.e., home display device) through high-definitionmultimedia interface (HDMI) port and, using a remote control devicecorresponding to the television receiver monitor, a consumer 20 cantoggle through the home display device functionality or access thesingle point device.

The computerized system 10 includes an availability or presence trackingmodule 12 for tracking the availability of the service providers 30.Availability or presence can be tracked actively or passively. Duringactive tracking, one or more of the service providers 30 provides anindication to the computerized system 10 that the one or more serviceproviders 30 are available to be contacted by consumers 20, and anindication of the mode by which the provider 30 may be contacted. Thecomputerized system 10 includes a scheduling module 16, which locatesproviders 30 and establishes service session engagements, to enable aconsumer 20, 21 to schedule a visit via the system 10 to engage suchprovider(s) 30 or to find other available providers 30, and tosequentially engage providers 30. The scheduled visit can bepatient-initiated or provider-initiated. In some implementations, thecomputerized system 10 includes an access control facility 114, whichmanages and controls whether a given consumer 20 may access the system10 and what level or scope of access to the features, functions, andservices the system 10 will provide.

In some implementations, the provider's 30 computer, phone, or otherterminal device periodically provides an indication of the provider's 30availability (e.g., available, online, idle, busy) to the computerizedsystem 10 and a mode (e.g., text, voice, video, etc.) by which theprovider 30 can be engaged. In some implementations, the computerizedsystem 10 presumes that the service provider 30 is available by theservice provider's 30 actions, including connecting to the computerizedsystem 10 or registering the provider's 30 local phone number with thecomputerized system 10. In some examples of a passive system, thecomputerized system 10 assumes the provider 30 is available at all timesuntil the provider 30 logs off, except when the provider 30 is activelyengaged with a consumer 20. The computerized system 10 accesses one ormore databases 118 to retrieve data records with fields, the values ofwhich specify the availability of various service providers. In anexample, each data record is keyed, e.g., includes a field with a valuethat is a key that uniquely identifies a particular service provider. Inthis example, the computerized system 10 accesses the one or moredatabases 118 and searches the keyed data records for fields with valuesrepresenting current availability for a consultation. The components ofthe computerized system 10 and the web server 24 may be integrated ordistributed in various combinations as is commonly known in the art.

FIG. 3 shows one example of a single point device 320 configured to becommunicatively coupled to a home display device and a computerizedsystem. The single point device 320 can be the single point device 220discussed previously with reference to FIG. 2. The single point device320 includes a wireless communications module 330 (such as WiFi™) forconnecting, via a wireless network, to the computerized system. Thesingle point device 320 also includes a camera 323 for capturing opticalinformation and a microphone 322 for capturing acoustic information.

FIG. 4 illustrates a single point device 420 integrating multiple datastreams. The single point device 420 can be the single point device 220discussed previously with reference to FIG. 1. The single point device420 is capable of receiving activating data from a virtual assistantdevice 450. As discussed previously with reference to FIG. 1, thevirtual assistant device 450 can cause the single point device 420 toactivate upon detecting a wake-up word (such as “Help”). The singlepoint device 420 is capable of receiving audio, video, and userinterface data from the computerized system 410. The single point device420 is capable of receiving data from a clinical network 460. In someimplementations, the single point device 420 is configured to becommunicatively coupled with a local network (for example, a localnetwork of a hospital) and receiver audio, video, and user interfacedata from the clinical network 460. The single point device 420 iscapable of receiving biometric data from one or more biometric devices470. In some implementations, the single point device 420 is configuredto be communicatively coupled with one or more heart monitors, one ormore pulse monitors, and so forth. The biometric data can include bloodpressure values, pulse values, and so forth. The single point device 420can be configured to transmit this data through at least one of theclinical network 460 or the computerized system 410. The single pointdevice 420 can present the data received from the computerized system410, clinical network 460, and biometric devices 470 to a user using ahome display device 430 that is communicatively coupled to the singlepoint device 420.

FIGS. 5A-5D depict a user (customer) 20 using a single point device 520to initiate a service session with a healthcare provider 30. The singlepoint device 520 can be the single point devices 220,320,420 discussedpreviously with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3-4. As shown in FIG. 5A, theuser 20 is watching a television program on their home display device530. The user 20 says the words “HELP”, which is captured by the singlepoint device 520, causing the single point device 520 to activate. Inresponse to capturing the user's 20 words (“HELP”), the single pointdevice 520 communicates with a computerized system (such as thecomputerized system 10 discussed previously with reference to FIGS. 1-2)to indicate the user 20 wishes to speak with a healthcare provider.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the computerized system identifies a healthcareprovider 30 that is available to participate in a communication session(service session) with the user 20. The computerized system communicateswith the single point device 520 that the healthcare provider 30 isavailable, and the single point device 520 causes a user interface todisplay on the user's 20 home display device 530. As shown, the userinterface fully interrupts the television program that the user 20 waswatching. However, in some implementations, the user interface isdisplayed using picture-in-picture such that the message only partiallyinterrupts the television program that the user 20 was watching. Thatis, the user interface can be displayed on one portion of the screen onthe home display device 530, while the television program can continueto be displayed on another portion of the screen. In the shownimplementation, the user interface includes a message that prompts theuser 20 to indicate whether or not they are ready to initiate theservice session with the healthcare provider 30. However, in someimplementations, the message does not prompt the user 20 to indicatethat they are ready, and instead informs the user 20 that the servicesession is beginning (or will begin in [x] amount of time).

As shown in FIG. 5C, the user 20 is participating in a service sessionwith the identified healthcare provider 30 using the single point device520 and the home display device 530. Audio and video signals aretransmitted from the web server to the single point device 520, whichthen causes the home display device 530 to display a video conferencecall in accordance with the received signals. The single point device520 can also capture video and audio information of the user 20 andtransmit this information to the web server, which then transmits thisinformation to a device being used by the healthcare provider 30. Asindicated above, although the shown embodiment shows the videoconference call fully occupying the screen of the home display device430, in some implementations, the video conference call is displayed onone portion of the screen of home display device 530, while anotherportion of the screen may display, for instance, the television programthat the user 20 was watching prior to the video conference call.

As shown in FIG. 5D, once the service session between the healthcareprovider 30 and the user 20 is terminated, a message is displayedindicated that the session has been terminated and the user 20 canresume watching the television program.

Referring to FIG. 5E, provider interface 550 is shown. Providerinterface 550 is an interface in a physician system that allowsphysician to see who is online/green, e.g., in section 558. Otherportions of provider interface 550 include portion 552, which liststhose patients that are currently in a virtual waiting room, portion554, which lists a physician's current appointments, and portion 556which lists clinics that the provider is currently engaged with. In thisexample, portion 558 include selectable icon (or link 558 a), selectionof which enables a service provider to initiate a consultation with thepatient represented by link 558 a. In this example, the data processingsystem stores the contact information for the patient represented bylink 558 a and establishes the communication channel using the contactinformation.

Modes of Engagement

FIG. 6 illustrates several provider availability modes facilitated by acomputerized system. Computerized systems (such as the computerizedsystem 10 discussed previously with reference to FIG. 1) can allowconsumers to engage providers (for example, health professionals) “ondemand” based on one or more provider availability modes. The one ormore provider availability modes include:

Surveillance 610—In surveillance mode 610, the computerized systemacquires information from consumers through automated interaction (forexample, rules-based interaction) in order to crystallize their needs(for example, medical risks) and better direct the consumers. Thecomputerized system produces a surveillance plan to assess a consumer'scurrent health status and specific medical conditions by directing thecustomer to follow a path of questioning that dynamically tailors itselfbased on information retrieved from the consumer (e.g., using predefinedrules). As assessments progress, the computerized system constructsengagement suggestions that the consumer can exercise. Each suggestioncan represent both the question to the provider and the type of providerappropriate to answer it. Consumers may choose to simply launch suchengagements or apply their own discretion as to the phrasing and theselection of the recipient provider. The computerized system can beconfigured to turn on a single point device of a consumer at predefinedpoints in time to solicit a response from the consumer to verify theconsumer's current health status.

Help 620—In help mode 620, the consumer-provider interaction can involvea consumer stating a medical status. This can be a declarativestatement, or in the form of a question or topic. The computerizedsystem will assess the nature of the consumer's statement and determinethe type of engagement or response that is appropriate. In someimplementations, the computerized system determines an appropriateresponse by sending a request to a selected provider (whether online ornot) and determines whether the request can be answered by the selectedprovider at their leisure. In some implementations, the computerizedsystem determines whether an emergency should be indicated in therequest and attempts to find a provider that has immediate availability.The computerized system informs the consumer once a response has beenreceived and can allow the consumer to redirect the question if theconsumer needs more urgent response time. In some implementations, aconsumer may request help and the computerized system may “beam” in adoctor. In some implementations, the consumer may request help and thesingle point device may ask the consumer a series of questions that areused in identifying an appropriate service provider.

Schedule visit 630—In schedule visit mode 630, the system uses ascheduler module, such as the scheduler module 116 discussed previouslywith reference to FIG. 2, which locates providers and establishesengagements, to enable a consumer to schedule a visit via the system toengage such provider(s) or to find other available providers, and tosequentially engage providers. The scheduled visit can bepatient-initiate or provider-initiated.

Device monitoring and Biometrics (Not shown)—Operating in the devicemonitoring and biometrics mode can involve a consumer beingpre-established with various device monitors, such as anelectrocardiograph device, a blood pressure sensor, and so forth. Insome implementations, the computerized system is connected to variousbiometric devices (for example, devices that are present in theconsumer's hospital room). As such, the information collected from thesedevices is readily available through the computerized system and,therefore, readily available to a physician for the service sessionengagement.

The use of broadband network connections can allow for real-time voicetransmission over a network (such as the Internet) in what is referredto as full duplex communications (that is, both voice channels are openat the same time). Consumers can opt to have a voice conversation withtheir selected providers using, for example, the single point devicesmicrophone and the speakers on their home display device. Web-basedteleconferencing may use voice over internet protocol (VoIP), sessioninitiation protocol (SIP), and so forth.

Video conferencing 640—The computerized system, through the single pointdevice and the home display device of a consumer, supports videoconferencing. This can allow consumers to, among other things, exhibitphysical findings to providers. Consumers and providers may also simplyprefer face-to-face communication, even if remote. Small digitalcameras, referred to as webcams, attached to or integrated with thesingle point device can be used for video conferencing and standardsoftware or custom software provided by the brokerage can be used.Alternatively, dedicated video conferencing communication equipment ortelephones with built-in video capabilities can be used.

Semi synchronous correspondence (Not shown)—Some service sessionengagements of a consumer with a provider include both synchronous andasynchronous interactions. Part of the service session engagement takesplace by immediate messaging between the two, but the provider may askthe consumer to take occasional asynchronous assessments if, forexample, a generic line of question is desired. This can allow theprovider to conduct more than one consumer service session engagement ata time while each consumer is constantly engaged. For example,semi-synchronous correspondence includes a combination of e-mail,instant messaging, test messaging, voice calls and mail messaging, andVoIP calls and VoIP messaging. FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting a method700 for rendering live streamed data. In some implementations, themethod 700 is performed by the computerized system 10 discussedpreviously with reference to FIGS. 1-2. The method 700 includestransmitting a user interface signal (block 710), receivingauthorization data (block 720), and establishing a communication session(block 730).

At block 710, a data processing system, such as the computerized system10 discussed previously with reference to FIGS. 1-2, transmits a userinterface signal to a single point device, such as the single pointdevice 220 discussed previously with reference to FIG. 1. The userinterface signal carries graphical user interface data corresponding toa graphical user interface that is capable of being rendered on a homedisplay device, such as the home display device 230 discussed previouslywith reference to FIG. 1. When the home display device renders thegraphical user interface, the display device interrupts displaying of aprogram on the display device to render the graphical user interface.The graphical user interface prompts the user (consumer) of the displaydevice for authorization to establish a communication session throughthe data processing system with a client device of a medical serviceprovider.

In some implementations, before transmitting the user interface signal,the data processing system tracks the availability of a plurality ofservice providers and receives, based on the tracking, an indicationthat one or more service providers of the plurality of service providersare available for establishing a communication session. In someimplementations, two or more service providers indicate that they areavailable for establishing a communication session. In such instances,the computerized system can select one of the two or more serviceproviders for establishing the communication session. The selection canbe based on health data of the user of the single point device. In someimplementations, the user can indicate, through the single point device,a type of medical condition the user would like to discuss (for example,kidney issues) and the computerized system can select a medical serviceprovider most qualified to discuss kidney issues (for example, a kidneyspecialist).

At block 720, the data processing system receives, from the single pointdevice, authorization data instructing the data processing system toestablish the communication session. In some implementations, thecommunication session is a full duplex communication session. In someimplementations, the communication session is a videoconferencecommunication session.

At block 730, a communication session is established between the displaydevice and the client device.

Embodiments can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or incomputer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations thereof.Apparatus of the invention can be implemented in a computer programproduct tangibly embodied or stored in a machine-readable storage devicefor execution by a programmable processor; and method actions can beperformed by a programmable processor executing a program ofinstructions to perform functions of the invention by operating on inputdata and generating output. The invention can be implementedadvantageously in one or more computer programs that are executable on aprogrammable system including at least one programmable processorcoupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data andinstructions to, a data storage system, at least one input device, andat least one output device. Each computer program can be implemented ina high-level procedural or object oriented programming language, or inassembly or machine language if desired; and in any case, the languagecan be a compiled or interpreted language.

Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and specialpurpose microprocessors. Generally, a processor will receiveinstructions and data from a read-only memory and/or a random accessmemory. Generally, a computer will include one or more mass storagedevices for storing data files; such devices include magnetic disks,such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks;and optical disks. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodyingcomputer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatilememory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, suchas EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such asinternal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CDROM disks. Any of the foregoing can be supplemented by, or incorporatedin, ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits).

Other implementations are within the scope and spirit of the descriptionclaims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions describedabove can be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, hardwiring,or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions mayalso be physically located at various positions, including beingdistributed such that portions of functions are implemented at differentphysical locations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A single point device, comprising: a port forestablishing a connection to a port on a display device and forswitching the display device from a first mode to a second mode, whereinthe display device is configured to render a program in the first modeand is further configured to stream data for a communication sessionreceived from a data processing system in the second mode, wherein thedata processing system configured to receive requests from medicalservice providers to initiate live time communication sessions with auser of the display device; an audio video device configured to captureimage data representing one or more images of physical entities in afield of view of the audio video device and further configured tocapture acoustic data; one or more voice interaction facilitiesconfigured to detect one or more utterances of a keyword and, inresponse, activating the single point device; a receiver deviceconfigured: for dedicated communication with the data processing system;and to receive (a) audio signals, during a live time communicationsession, from a client device of an identified medical service providerthrough the data processing system, and (b) a user interface signal fromthe data processing system and carrying user interface data that isrenderable on the display device that, when rendered by the displaydevice, causes the display device to interrupt a program displaying onthe display device; and a transmitter device configured: for dedicatedcommunication with the data processing system; to transmit, in responseto activating the single point device and to the data processing system,data indicating that the user wishes to establish a communicationsession with a medical service provider; to transmit, through the dataprocessing system and to the client device, image data captured by theaudio video device and audio signals received from the audio videodevice; and to transmit the user interface signal received from thereceiver device to the display device in the second mode to cause thedisplay device to interrupt the program to initiate the communicationsession, as requested by the medical service provider.
 2. The singlepoint device of claim 1, wherein the receiver device is furtherconfigured to receive a user interface signal to render a graphical userinterface to prompt the user of the display device for authorization toestablish the communication session through the data processing systemwith the client device of the identified medical service provider. 3.The single point device of claim 1, wherein the audio video devicecomprises a microphone.
 4. The single point device of claim 1, whereinthe audio video device comprises a speaker device configured to outputthe audio signals received by the receiver device.
 5. The single pointdevice of claim 1, wherein the single point device is configured tocause the display device to display biometric data received from one ormore biometric devices during the communication session.
 6. The singlepoint device of claim 1, wherein the audio video device comprises acamera.
 7. The single point device of claim 1, wherein causing thedisplay device to interrupt the program and render the graphical userinterface comprises causing the display device to cease displaying ofthe program.
 8. The single point device of claim 7, wherein the firstportion is larger than the second portion.
 9. The single point device ofclaim 1, wherein causing the display device to interrupt the program andrender the graphical user interface comprises causing the display deviceto display the graphical user interface in a first portion of thedisplay device and continue displaying the program in a second portionof the display device.
 10. The single point device of claim 1, whereinthe dedicated communication with the data processing system isestablished through a wireless network.
 11. The single point device ofclaim 1, wherein the receiver device is further configured to receive,from a control device, control signals indicating that the user hasauthorized interruption of the program.
 12. A method implemented by adata processing system for rendering live streamed data responsive toprovider initiated requests for consultations, comprising: receiving,from a single point device of a patient, data indicating that thepatient would like to establish a communication with a medical serviceprovider; accessing one or more databases to retrieve data recordsincluding a plurality of fields, each field of the plurality of fieldsincluding one or more values specifying the availability of a pluralityof medical service providers; selecting data representing a medicalservice provider of the plurality of medical service providers based atleast partially on the one or more values of each field of the pluralityof fields; receiving, from a client device of the selected medicalservice provider, a request to initiate a communication with the singlepoint device of the patient; responsive to the request to initiate thecommunication, transmitting, by a data processing system to the singlepoint device that is communicatively coupled to a display device, asignal that causes the display device to switch input modes from a firstmode to a second mode, with the first mode being a mode for rendering aprogram and with the second mode being a mode for streaming datareceived from the data processing system; transmitting, to the singlepoint device, a user interface signal carrying graphical user interfacedata that when rendered by the display device in the second modeinterrupts displaying of a program on the display device and renders agraphical user interface, with the graphical user interface prompting aviewer of the display device for updates on a health status of theviewer and initiating a communication session; and establishing, by thedata processing system, the communication session between the singlepoint device and the client device.
 13. The method of claim 12, furtherincluding: prior to establishing the communication session, causing thegraphical user interface to update with a prompt for authorization toestablish the communication session through the data processing systemwith the client device; and receiving, by the data processing systemfrom the single point device, authorization data instructing the dataprocessing system to establish the communication session.
 14. The methodof claim 12, further comprising: detecting, by the data processingsystem, completion of the communication session; and responsive to thedetecting, sending termination data to the single point device that,when received by the single point device, causes the single point deviceto cease rendering the graphical user interface on the display deviceand causing the display device to return to displaying the program. 15.The method of claim 12, further comprising: tracking the availability ofa plurality of service providers; receiving, based on the tracking, anindication that one or more service providers of the plurality ofservice providers are available for establishing a communicationsession, and updating the one or more databases in accordance with theindication.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein: selecting a medicalservice provided of the plurality of medical service providers isfurther based on health of the patient received from the single pointdevice.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the health data indicatesanswers of the patient to a series of questions, the patient using thesingle point device to answer the questions.
 18. The method of claim 12,wherein the communication session is a full duplex communicationsession.
 19. The method of claim 12, wherein interrupting the displayingof the program comprises causing the display device to display thegraphical user interface in a first portion of the display device andcontinue displaying the program in a second portion of the displaydevice.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first portion is largerthan the second portion.
 21. The method of claim 12, whereininterrupting the displaying of the program comprises causing the displaydevice to cease displaying of the program.
 22. The method of claim 12,wherein the communication session is a videoconference communicationsession.